Electric meter.



No. 000,450.v PatentedJan. 7.", |902.

' G. H. MEEKEB..

ELECTRIC METER. (Application md Apr. 27, 1900.)

(N0 Model.)

rfa-i W/ T/VE SSE S No. 090,450. Patented 1an. 7, |002.l

0. H. MEEKER. ELECTRIC METER.

(Application led Api. 27, 1900.)

(un Mndl.) 2 sheetsshut 2. E

w/rNEssEs: /N VENTO/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE II. MEEKER, OF MEDIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC METER.-

SEECIFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,450, dated January 7, 190.2.

Application tiled April 27 1900. Serial No. 14,535. (No model.)

To al?, whom, it may concern,.-

Beit known that I, GEORGE H. MEEKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Media, in the county of Delaware, in the State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Meters, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure 1, Sheet l, is a plan view, the top of the casing having been removed and the electrical connections with the parts omitted. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, the side of the casing having been removed. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a diagrammatic representation showing the electrical connections. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section, as on line 4 4, Fig. 2, showingin plan the timing mechanism.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved joulemeter-t`- e., an electric meter that shall indicate or record automatically on a dial or the like the following product, viz: amperes multiplied by vol ts multiplied by seconds (or other predetermined time units).

The invention, broadly considered, consists of a vibrator-y bar or the like, a movable part the extent of movements of which is governed by the electrical current passing through the service-line wires and which said movable part and the said bar are so correlated that the extent of the vibrations of said bar are automatically'limited by the position of said movable part, and means forimparting to said bar successive movements with relation to said movable part, together with indicating mechanism adapted to be actuated by the vibrations imparted to the said bar.

The invention also consists in providing, in connection with the means for imparting to said bar successive movements with relation to said movable part, suitable timing devices whereby the ti me intervals between the movements of said bar are inversely proportional to the electrical pressure of the service-line wires. l

The invention further consists of certain combinations and details of construction hereinaftcr fully pointed out.

` Referring to the accompanying drawings, first with special reference to the diagrammatic Fig. 3, 1 designates a solenoid that is supported within a suitable casing 2 and is connected in series in this instance, or it may be shunted in series, with the service-line wires b b', which connect with the main-line wires ay a. Thus the entire current or amperage (or any definite fraction thereof if said solenoid be shunted in series) of the serviceline passes through this solenoid. As seen more clearly in Fig. 1, thesolenoid l is formed in the are of a circle that is struck from the center of a 'vertical shaft 3, whose-ends are journaled in bearings 3, secured to the casing 2.

Projecting from a hub 4, that is xed on shaft 3, is an arm 5, to the free end of which is secured a curvedsoft-iron core 6, which is concentric with the solenoid 1, into which it is adapted to enter to agreater or less extent, according to the magnetic force of the solenoid, which varies with the amperage of the service-line, as hereinafter described. There also projects from the hub 4 a segment-plate 7, Whose outer edge 7a, of curvilinear form, as seen in Fig. 1, is suitably calibrated from left to right to indicate amperes or other units of current measurement, as also hereinafter described. A torsional spring S, Fig. 2, of shaft 3, the upper end of which spring is secured to hub 4 and the lower end to the lower bearing 3a, serves to maintain the core 6 normally-fi. e., when no current is being usedin the retracted position with relation to the solenoid, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. It willbe obvious that when anycurrent is used on the service-line the solenoid will induce partial rotation of the core 6 inthe direction of the arrow in Fig. 1, and consequently of plate 7, corresponding with the strength of the current.

` 9 is a second solenoid, which is also secured to the casing 2 and in this instance occupies a plane at right angles to that of the iirst solenoid 1 and is at a level below that of the latter. This second solenoid is in the arc of a circle whose center is the axis of a horizontal rotatable shaft 1Q, that isjournaled in bearings secured to the casing. It (the said solenoid) is adapted to be automatically connected in multiple with the service-line wires b b when there is any load upon the line, as hereinafter particularly described.

11 is a vertical bar whose lower end is pivoted concentrically with the shaft 10. To

this bar is secured a curved soft-iron core 12, that bears a relation to the solenoid 9 similar to that of core 6 to the solenoid 1. The inner side of the upper portion of said bar 11 is closely adjacent to the curvilinear edge 7 of the plate 7, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. Normally-that is, when no current is passing through the solenoid Q-the bar 11,and consequently the core 12, are maintained in the retracted position shown in said igures by means of a light spring 13, connecting said bar and a fixed post 14, Fig. 2, on the upper end of which latter is a projection 14:, against which the bar is stopped. When the current passes through the solenoid 9, as hereinafter described, the core 12 will be drawn into the former, and so the bar 1l Will be rocked forward on its pivot against the slight stress of spring 13, the extent of the movement ofthe bar beingobviously limited by the then position of the curvilinear edge 7il of the plate 7, which position Will vary directly as the amperage of the service-line. The bar l1 has pivoted thereon a pawl 16, that is adapted to engagea tooth of a ratchet-Wheel 17, which is mounted upon the rotatable shaft 10, all as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The said shaft also carries a Worm 18, Fig. 1, that engages teeth of a gear 19 on a vertical shaft 20, Which is journaled in bearings of the casing 2 and which has an index 21, Fig. 2, on its upper end, extending over a suitable dial 22. It is manifest that when the bar 11 is rocked forward the pnwl 16, engaging a tooth of Wheel 17, will rotate the latter and shaft 10 a certain correspondingy extent, and by reason of the said worm-and-gear connection the index 2l Will be correspondingly rotated. As before suggested, the extent of the forward rock of the bar 1l, and consequently that of the movement of the index 21, is determined and limited by that part of' the curved edge 7 of plate 7 thenin the path of the said bar.

Before proceeding with the description of the construction of the apparatus I shall explain the mode of procedure I employ in calibrating or obtaining. the proper form ofthe plate edge 7 in order to insure that the angular distance through which the bar 11 can move at any instant shall be directly proportional to the current or amperage passing through the rst solenoid 1 at such instant. The correspondence of movement of the bar 11 to the current is secured by suitably curving the plate edge 7a, the curve being evolved in the following manner: The plate 7 is first shaped approximately to the required form. The edge 7b of plate 7 is straight and coincides witha line drawn from the bar 11 to the center or axis of rotation of said plate, which line (and so the edge 7") is tangential to the arc of rotation of the bar 11,

and the free end of said edge 7b is adjacent to the said bar, as in Figs. 1 and 2. A current of-known quantity-say iive amperes is passed through solenoid 1, which Will cause a corresponding in-draw of the core 6 and a definite rotation of plate 7. The point in the edge of the latter that is now presented to the bar is marked. A line is then drawn from the axis of rotation of sai-d plate to the point on the edge of the plate that is then presented to the bar, which line Will be tangential to the arc of rotation of bar 11. This line may be termed the five-ampere line. Then pass a current through solenoidl of, say, ten amperes and draw a line similar to the five-ampere line, andd so on until a sufficient number of tangent lines have been drawn. bar having been selected, for example, a movement of the bar that would cause the Wheel 17 to rotate a distance equal to that between, say, live teeth of the Wheel would result from live alnperes. Then mark'oif on the straight or tangential edge 7b of the plate such distance from the free end of the latter adjacent to the haras shall be equal to the angular distance of travel of the barin advancing fire teeth of said Wheel. Then mark oii':l on said edge a point corresponding to the travel of the bar in advancing ten teeth of the Wheel, and so on, corresponding with the number of ampere tangent lines laid off, as before mentioned. Then With the dividers, using the said axis of rotationof the plate The unit of angular rotation of said as a center, transfer the points on the tangent edge 7 b tothe respective corresponding radial lines. Finally, having determined a suiiicient number of points on the radial tangent lines they are connected bya line which will be the line of the required edge 7 of the plate. The surplus materialoutside ot' this line is cut away;v but it isimportant that the original Weight of the plate shall be maintained by compensating for the portion removed. Assuming the electrical pressure or voltage on the service-line to be constant and the amperage of the load variable, it is clear that if electrical impulses be given to the solenoid 9 at equalv intervals of time then the index 21'and dial 22 of the apparatus, hereinbefore described, would show the desired metrical resultant that is, volts multiplied by amperes multiplied by seconds, (time periods;) but in` practice the pressure or voltageis not constant,but frequently varies. It is therefore necessary that there shall be given to the solenoid 9-in effect, to the bar ll-impulses so timed that the time intervals between any two impulses shall be inversely proportional to the then voltage. I shall now describe a mechanism and devices which I have devised for imparting such impulses to the solenoid 9.

23 and 24 are two electromagnets, each separately connected in multiple with the service-line wires b b', as indicated in Fig. 3 and as hereinafter particularly described, and the circuits of these magnets are adapted to receive the full electric pressure or voltage ou the said wires. In front of these magnets,

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to vibrate between stops 27 and 28 for the armature 25 and stops 29 and 30 for the armature 26. The said armatures are normallythat is, when no current is passing through the service-line, and hence through the said magnets-held in contact with the rear stops 27 and 29, respectively, by suitable springs 31, one of which is seen in Fig. 2, that extend between 'the armatures and the posts, respectively, that support the rear stops.

33, Figs. l and 2, is a balance-wheel mounted upon a vertical arbor 3.4, that is journaled in a bearing of the casing and of a bracket 35, fastened to the latter. This wheel has secured to it a depending arm 36, to which is fastened a sheet or plate 37 of soft iron, constituting a magnetic shield, which as said wheel is caused to oscillate will be brought opposite to-i. e. in front of-the poles alternately of the magnets 23 and 24, as and for the purpose to be described. The torsional spring 38 of the balance-wheel tends to maintain the latter normally-that is,when no current is being used-in such position as to bring the plate 37 opposite to the pole of magnet 23, as seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.

Referring now toFig. 3 and in part to Fig. 4,@ ct are the main or feed wires, and b b the serviceline or house wires, as previously stated. The solenoid 1 is connected in'series with the service-line wires?) b,and the solenoid 9 is connected in multiple with said wires, as also before mentioned and as hereinafter particularly described. A wire c leads from one of the service-wiresb to the armature 25, and a wire c leads from the other service-wire b' to solenoid 9. A wire c2 from the other end of the latter solenoid connects with the forward stop 28 of the said armature 25. If this armature be brought against stop 28, obviously the circuit through solenoid 9 will be closed. A branch wire d from wire c leads to one end of the magnet 23 and wire d2 from the other end of said magnet to the rear stop of armature 26. A wire e branches from wire d' and leads to one end of ymagnet 24, and a wire e2 leads to the rear stop 27 of armature 25. The wires cl and e might Ibe connected directly with the service-wire b without materially alfecting the result. A wire d connects Wire c with armature 26. Vhen the armature 25 is against the stop 27, the circuit of magnet 24 will be closed, and when armature 26 is against stop 29 the circuit of magnet 23 will be closed.

The foregoing are the positions of the armatures shown in the drawings, and no current being consumed on the service-line the plate 7 is at the zero-point, and the bar 11 is in the retracted position, and the cores of the two solenoids 1 and 9 are in the respective retracted positions shown. Also the balance-wheel 33 is in the position through the stress of its spring 38 in which the magnetic shield 37 is directly in front of the pole of magnet 23-that is, between the latter and the armature 25-as seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. Ifnowa load-as, for

example, a number of lamps, as Fig. 3-.be put upon the service-line, the core 6 will be drawn. into solenoid 1 a certain distance and the plate 7 correspondingly rotated, but the bar 11 remains in the vertical retracted position for the reason that at the instant no current is passing through the solenoid 9, the circuit of the latter being open because the armature 25 is not against the stop 28. The circuits of magnets 23 and 24 are at this time closed. Consequently they will tend to attract the armatures 25 and 26, respectively. The armature 25, however, cannot move toward its magnet 23 owing to the interposed magnetic shield,which cuts off or defiects the lines of magnetic force; but as soon as armature 26 moves forward from the stop 29 the circuit of magnet 23 is broken, and as at this moment the circuit of magnet 24 is still closed, owing to armature 25 remaining against its stop 27, the magnet 24, attracting the magnetic shield, draws it over into position in front of the said magnet 24, whereupon the lines of magnetic force being deflected or cut off by said shield armature 26 swings back by the stress of spring 31 against stop 29 and closes the circuit of magnet 23. This magnet now attracting its armature 25, the latter moves over against stop 28. This closes the circuit of solenoid 9, which then draws in its core 12, and so swings forward the bar 11 until it (the bar) comes against the curved edge 7 a of plate 7 at that point which is then in the arc in which the bar swings. This movement of the bar rotates the ratchetwheel 17 a definite distance, and so through the intervening mechanism the index 21. The magnetic shield is now caused by magnet 23 to swing back from magnet 24 to position in front of the former, whereupon armature 25 returns against its stop 27, thus breaking the circuit of solenoid 9, and the bar 11 is retracted to the normal position by the spring 13, and so on consecutively. It will be observed that with each both-way oscillations of the balance-wheel and resulting to-and-fro movements of the magnetic shield an electrical impulse will be imparted to the solenoid 9, and thus the barll be rocked forward against the edge 7a of plate 7. The frequency of these oscillations, and so the timing of the rocking of the bar 11, will depend upon the strength of the pull exerted at the particular instant by the magnets 23 and 24 upon the magnetic shield, and this pull will vary with the quantity of electricity passing through the coils of these magnets. Since the resistance of the circuits of the latter are constant, the currents will vary directly with the voltage or pressure of the service-line wires, and therefore the frequency of the oscillations of the balance-wheel will always be in direct proportion to the voltage. The weight of the balance-wheel and the strength of the magnets 23 and 24 are so adjusted at the outset that with any predetermined unit of electrical pressure-say one hundred volts,

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for example-the said wheel will make a bothway oscillation in a predetermined unit of time-say one second. Thus if a current of, say, two hundred bolts be passing through the service-line the balance-wheel will make two both-way oscillations per second, thereby making and breaking the circuit of solenoid 9' twice each second, and so the bar ll will be rocked twice in the second against the edge 7 a of plate 7, (the position of which, as before explained, varies directly with the amperage,) and the required product or resultant-viz., amperes multiplied by Volts (one hundred) multiplied by seconds-will be shown on the dial by the index 2l through the operation of the mechanism intervening between the latter and the bar 1l.

As it is not desirable that the circuit c c' should be closed when there is no load upon the line, I generally interpose in said circuit an automatic switch S, (indicated in Fig. 3,) itself connected in series with the service-line wire and adapted to automatically close the circuit when anyload is placed upon the line and to break the circuit When the load is removed. As such switches are well known, I have not deemed it necessary to particularly show or describe the same herein.

I do not limit myself to the precise construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention hereinbefore described, as it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that the construction may be considerably varied to ob` tain the ultimate result desired without departing from the principle of the invention. I further remark that the device is adapted for use with either direct or alternating currents and has a very small internal current consumption.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In an electrical meter, the combination of the vibratory bar, or the like, a movable part, means whereby the extent of movement of which part is governed by the electric current passing through the service-line wires, said movable part and said bar being so correlated that the extent of the vibrations of said bar are automatically limited by the position of said movable part, and means for imparting to said bar successive vibrations with relation to said movable part, the time intervals between which vibrations are inversely proportional to the electrical pressure of said wires, together with indicating or recording mechanism adapted to be actuated by the vibrations imparted to the said bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an electrical meter, the combination of an oscillatory part adapted to be controlled by the electrical current and actuated thereby, a reciprocatory bar, or the like, occupying normally a definite position with relation to said oscillatory part, the extent of the reced-15o ciprocation of which bar is adapted to be limited by the position which said part is caused to occupy by the .action of the said electrical current, means adapted to be actuated by the electrical current for imparting to said bar successive vibrations toward and against said oscillatory part in intervals of time inversely proportional to the electrical pressure, means for returning said bar to the normal position after each of said vibrations, and mechanism connected `with said bar for consecutively recording the extent of said vibrations, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an electrical meter, the combination of the solenoid, adapted to Ybe connected in series with the service-line wires, the core adapted to oscillate in said solenoid, the plate having the calibrated edge adapted to be oscillated by the movements of said core and in correspondence therewith, the vibratory bar, the solenoid adapted to be connected in multi plc with the said service-line Wires, the core adapted to oscillate in said solenoid and connected with said bar, the electromagnets connected with the service-line wires, armatures adjacent thereto, respectively, the magnetic shield adapted to oscillate in a path between said armatures and magnets, stops between which the said armatures are adapted to vibrate, and the electrical connections of said magnets, armatures and stops, together with suitable indicating or recording mechanism adapted to be actuated by the vibrations of said bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In an electrical meter, the combination of an oscillatory part adapted to be controlled by the electrical current and actuated thereby, a vibratory bar, the solenoid, or the like, adapted to be connected in multiple with the service-line wires, and adapted-to control the movement of said bar, means for automatically closing the circuit through said solenoid when a load is placed upon the service-line wires, and for breaking the circuit when no load is upon said wires, together with suitable indicatin gor recording mechanism adapted to be actuated by the vibrations of said bar, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth 5. In an electrical meter, the combination of the vibratory bar, or the like, a movable part, means whereby the extent of movement of which part is governed by the electric current passing through the service-line wires, said movable part and said bar being so correlated that the extent of vibrations of said bar are limited by the position of said `movable part, the solenoid, or the like, for imparting vibrations to saidbar and adapted to be connected in multiple with the serviceline wires, the electromagnets also adapted to be connected in multiple with t-he serviceline wires, the respective armatures adjacent thereto, their front and rear stops, and the electrical connections between said solenoid,

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ro shield adapted to automatically reciprocate in a path between said armatures and magnets, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 10th day of April, I5

`GEORGE H. MEEKER. Witnesses:

WALTER C. PUSEY, J osHUA PUSEY. 

